Matthew De Grood ID'd As Suspect In Calgary Stabbing

Matthew de Grood, the suspect in Tuesday's horrific stabbing spree in Calgary, has been charged with five counts of first degree murder.

de Grood, a 22-year-old University of Calgary student and the son of a senior police officer, was arrested early Tuesday morning after the stabbing deaths of five young people in the northwest Calgary community of Brentwood.

Three males were found dead early Tuesday morning after someone called 911.

Another two people, a male and female, were taken to hospital with stab wounds but succumbed to their injuries.

"This is the worst mass murder in Calgary's history," said Calgary Police Chief Rick Hanson at a news conference Tuesday.

The victims include a 22-year-old man from Priddis, a 23-year-old woman from Calgary, two 23-year-old men and one 27-year-old man, all from Calgary.

Hanson told reporters that he spoke with the suspect's father, and the officer and his wife are heart-broken.

"They are now feeling so much sorrow ... Those young people are dead and they are absolutely devastated.''

Hanson said the suspect was invited to the party, not far from campus. He showed up after working his shift at a grocery store and was welcomed inside.

There had earlier been about 30 people at the party, which neighbours described as quiet and low-key. That number had dwindled to about 20 when violence erupted shortly after 1 a.m.

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5 Dead In Calgary House Party Stabbing

5 Dead In Calgary House Party Stabbing

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Hanson said the suspect allegedly brought a weapon, or "instrument,'' from work to the party, but grabbed a large knife from inside the house.

He "targeted the victims one by one, stabbing them several times,'' said the chief.

Investigators were still trying to determine what motivated the attack.

"Was there anything that precipitated the event? Was there something that anyone had done that anyone could have taken as an insult or an affront to this individual? To the best of our knowledge right now, there's nothing to indicate anything like that happened,'' Hanson said